Terminal block with removable marker strip



Jan. 25, 1966 E. J. KRESSEL TERMINAL BLOCK WITH REMOVABLE MARKER STRIP Filed June 17, 1965 FIG-5' INVENTOR.

EMANUEL J. Auzsssl. BY

United States Patent 3,231,847 TERMINAL BLOCK WITH REMOVABLE MARKER STRIP Emanuel J. Kressel, 1787 Emery Drive, Erie, Pa. Filed June 17, 1963, Ser. No. 288,269 1 Claim. (Cl. 339-113) This invention relates to terminal strip covers and, more particularly, to devices in combination with terminal strips for protecting the electrical terminals connected thereto and for providing ready access thereto.

Terminal strips according to prior inventions have been difiicult to remove and have been inefiicent in operation. The present invention proposes the use of a generally rectangular strip of material made of synthetic plastic or the like with holes at either end and studs fixed to the terminal strip at each end. The studs have heads which can be forced through the terminal strip and, when forced through will hold it in position.

It is accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide an improved terminal strip.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination terminal strip cover and holding device therefor.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved combination terminal block, terminal strip cover and holder.

Still a further object off-the invention is to provide a terminal strip which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and simple and eificient to use.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and more particularly pointed out in the appended claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions, and minor details of construction without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a terminal block having a terminal strip cover supported thereon by means of the improved support devices disclosed therein;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the terminal strip holder shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a terminal strip holder shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the terminal strip holder shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.

Now with more specific reference to the drawing, FIGS. 1 to 4 shows a terminal block 11 having a terminal strip supported thereon. The terminal strip 10 is an elongated, flat, generally rectangular piece of material which may, in practice, be approximately one-eighth inch thick with a hole at each end thereof. The holes receive bodies of headed studs 12.

The body 15 is relatively slender and the base of the frustoconical head is substantially larger than the slender body and defines a shoulder that faces the base 13 and extends outwardly from the slender body around substantially the entire outside surface thereof.

The studs 12 have heads 14 which have a frusto-conical end which terminates in a lower fiange 21. The flange 21 is of considerably larger diameter than the body 15. The body 15 is generally cylindrical and integrally fixed to the base 13 at 22. Holes 16 receive screws which hold the device to the terminal block 11. The holes 16 could receive rivets or they could receive plastic members which 3,231,847 Patented Jan. 25, 1966 could be riveted or heat sealed into place on the terminal block 11.

The terminal block 11 has spaced ridge members 19 thereon which define spaces therebetween. Terminal screws are received between the ridge members 19. The terminal screws 29 may secure the terminal ends of electrical wires in place. The terminal strip 10 is forced down over the terminal end members after the wires are fastened in position with the screws 29.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5, molded plastic terminal strip supports 112 have bodies 115 integrally fixed thereto on a base 113. These bodies terminate at their upper ends in a frusto-conical head 114. A lateral slot 118 is cut in the body 115 and up through the frusto-conical head 114 so that the side edges of the head can be forced together to force the head up through the openings in the terminal strip.

'The terminal strip and body support mayall be made of integrally molded polyethylene, nylon, 'or some suitable similar material.

The foregoing specification sets forth the invention in its preferred practical forms but it is understood that the structure shown is capable of modification within a range of equivalents without departing from the invention which is to be understood is broadly novel as is commensurate with the appended claim.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

In combination, a terminal block, a terminal strip, and means securing said terminal strip to said terminal block,

said terminal block comprising an enlongated, generally rectangular block made of electrical insulating material,

spaced laterally extending ribs on said block defining spaces for the terminal ends of electrical wires thereon,

a stud fixed to each opposite end of said terminal block and extending outwardly therefrom,

each said stud having a slender body and terminating at its distal end in an enlarged size head,

each said head being generally in the shape of the frus'tum of a cone having a base,

said base of said frustum of said cone being substantially larger than said slender body and defining a shoulder extending outwardly from said slender body around substantially the entire outside surface of said slender body,

and a terminal strip having a hole at each end thereof,

said holes being smaller than said heads and substantially the same size as said bodies,

said strip being made of resilient material and snapping over said heads onto said bodies with said slender body received in said holes and said shoulder overlying a portion of said strip around said holes and adjacent to said holes whereby said strip is held in place over said terminal ends.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,013,006 12/ 1911 Fairchild 292-70 2,805,294 9/ 1957 Edmunds.

2,819,921 1/ 1958 Solari 292-70 2,848,703 8/1958 Foote et al. 339-113 2,981,922 4/ 1961 Van Valkenlburg et al. 339-198 3,126,185 3/1964 Christman 174-164 X 3,135,572! 6/1964 Curtis et a1 339- 198 JOHN F. BURNS, Primary Examiner.

DARRELL L. CLAY, Examiner. 

